Gaming machine, system and method for playing a feature game

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine, system and method includes a housing having a user interface, display means, preferably a lower display and an upper display, and a controller preferably mounted in the housing and in communication with the display means. The controller enables standard game play mode until the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as the appearance of preferably three scatter symbols. Upon occurrence of the predetermined event, the controller enables feature game play mode where display means presents a plurality of feature game symbols, and a symbol selection pointer, and optionally presents a landscape including at least some of the feature game symbols. At least one of the feature game symbols is a switchable symbol having a first state and a second state, and at least one is a switching symbol that changes the state of the switchable symbol. The controller causes the symbol selection pointer to randomly select one of the feature game symbols. There are two ways to change the state of the switchable symbol. Selecting the switchable symbol changes its state. Selecting the switching symbol causes the switchable symbol to also change its state.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/435,398, filed 24 Jan. 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to gaming machines including slot machines, andparticularly to slot machines having bonus game features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for gamingmachine manufacturers to produce new types of games, or enhancements toexisting games, which will attract frequent play by enhancing theentertainment value and excitement associated with the game. Presentlythere is a trend with slot machines to offer additional games that canbe played, in addition to standard game play involving spinning reels.These additional games are often referred to as a “feature game”, or“bonus game”.

US 2010/0304831 A1, to Suda et al. shows a slot machine having an arrayof symbols displayed for both primary and secondary (e.g. bonus) gameplay. The feature game play is entered upon the occurrence of a selectedevent or outcome of the basic game. In particular, Suda describes usinga subset of columns to indicate whether feature game capability isachieved. In one embodiment, the columns in which scatter symbols appearare selected for feature game purposes. A “scatter symbol” is a symbolthat indicates some kind of special bonus, or bonus play.

US 2009/0275387 A1, to Yoshizawa, discloses a slot machine that displaysa matrix of symbols as part of the primary game play and secondary gameplay occurs where the symbols are classified according to backgroundcolor. The symbols having a common background color are grouped andre-positioned adjacent to each other on the display. In other words,symbols positioned once on a display are repositioned so as to gatherthe symbols with the same background color. Yoshizawa confirms thatbackground effects can be an important part of gaming experience,particularly with secondary or feature game play.

The gaming industry is competitive and ever-evolving. Although manygames continue to entertain gaming enthusiasts, there is still an unmetneed for better and more interesting games and features. There is alsoan unmet need for making gaming experience user-friendly to enable aplayer to readily understand the various gaming features and variationsavailable, particularly with respect to feature games that followdifferent rules than standard slot machine reel play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gaming machine includes a housing having a user interface, a lowerdisplay and an upper display, and a controller mounted in the housingand in communication with the lower display and the upper display. Thecontroller enables standard game play mode until the occurrence of apredetermined event, such as the appearance of three scatter symbols.

The controller enables feature game play mode and causes the displays topresent a feature game. In feature game play mode, the lower displaypresents a plurality of symbols, and a symbol selection pointer, and theupper display presents a landscape including symbols corresponding to atleast some of the symbols presented on the lower display.

At least one of the symbols of the lower display is a switchable symbolhaving a first state and a second state. The controller causes thesymbol selection pointer to select one of the plurality of symbols andwhen the switchable symbol is selected then the switchable symbolchanges from the first state to the second state.

The controller causes the symbol selection pointer to again select oneof the plurality of symbols. When the switchable symbol is againselected then the switchable symbol changes from the second state to thefirst state and the feature game play mode is terminated.

The plurality of symbols includes a switching symbol, and when theswitching symbol is selected the switchable symbol changes state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a front view of a housing displaying a slot machine reel.

FIG. 1 b is a front view of the housing of FIG. 1 displaying a featuregame.

FIG. 2 a-FIG. 2 d show a front view of a display showing feature gameplay.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compass rose in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is front view of a landscape in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a computer and a display interface in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 is capable ofvarious game play modes. Initially the gaming machine 10 operates instandard game play mode until the occurrence of a random event, and thenthe gaming machine 10 operates in a feature game play mode. In standardgame play mode a matrix of symbols are displayed in a format includingfive reels oriented in columns and three horizontal rows. The reels inone embodiment are physical reels that spin, and in another embodiment,the reels are images of physical reels.

The gaming machine 10 includes a housing 12 with a lower display 14 a,an upper display 14 b and a user interface 16. The gaming machine 10 ispreferably a slot machine. Slot machine is broadly construed as anygaming machine that is capable of enabling a player to play forentertainment with a probability of a payout.

The interface 16 is supported by the housing 12. The interface 16 facesa user, who may be standing or sitting in proximity to the machine 10.The interface 16 enables user input to initiate and continue game play.In particular, any of a number of buttons can be presented on theinterface to enable a user to commence standard game play mode, featuregame play mode, and to select particular bets.

The display 14 a is configured to display a matrix of symbols 26 thatimitate mechanical slot machine reels in standard game play modeaccording to one aspect of the invention. Accordingly, each column ofthe matrix of symbols imitates a single mechanical slot machine reel.The display 14 a is angled with respect to the floor to face a user.

In another embodiment of the invention, the display 14 a includesmechanical slot machine reels. It can be appreciated that hybridarrangements having both digital and mechanical components arecontemplated herein. The display 14 b is transmissive to facilitatehighlighting of any of the various symbols, and paylines to facilitategame play.

The matrix of symbols 26 has three rows and five columns. The matrix ofsymbols 26, however, may include any number of rows and columns inaccordance with various game formats. As shown, the matrix of symbols 26includes a plurality of symbols 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d, and threescatter symbols 24 e, 24 f and 24 g.

In one aspect of the invention, the gaming machine 10 presents apoker-style game. The matrix of symbols 26 includes playing card values,such as King, Jack, Queen, and various numerical card values. The matrixof symbols 26 may also include any other symbols that create interest toa player including the scatter symbols 24 e, 24 f and 24 g, thesescatter symbols 24 e, 24 f and 24 g display an image of a compass rose.Although a poker-based theme is described herein, it can be appreciatedthat the present invention also encompasses non-poker based themes.

The symbols 24 can include still images, or video-streamed images, or acombination of thereof. Such still images, or video streamed images, orany combination thereof, may be displayed using physical reels orvirtual reels. Video streamed images enable the symbols 24 to yield anevolving appearance. In particular the size, character and transparencyof the symbols may change during game play, particularly upon theappearance of a scatter symbol. When physical reels are used, the imagesmay be highlighted or change by using a projection using transmissivetechnology on the display 14 a.

The display 14 a shows a payline 26 crossing a pair of jacks, a pair of5's and a single scatter symbol 24 f. The payline 26 is projected on thedisplay 14 a and indicates a payout. According to game play rules, wherethree scatter symbols appears in standard game play mode, a feature gameplay mode is initiated. Here scatter symbols 24 e, 24 f and 24 g appearand enable feature game play so that the payout according to the payline26 has a chance of being multiplied by the feature game play.Preferably, feature game play mode is automatically initiated, andaccepted by enabling a user to activate a button on the interface 16.The matrix of symbols disappears and is completely replaced by featuregame play images when the gaming machine 10 enters feature game playmode. It can be appreciated, however, that variants of the invention canretain a portion of the information and symbolism presented fromstandard game play mode in the feature game play mode, such as a betamount.

FIG. 2 shows the gaming machine 10 in feature game play mode. Thedisplay 14 a and 14 b are each enlarged and duplicated above the gamingmachine to enable details of each display 14 a and 14 b to be shown inFIG. 2. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thefeature game play mode is termed, “regatta feature”, and the regattafeature game has a nautical theme. The bet amount and credit amounts inthe feature game play mode are retained on the display from the standardgame play mode.

The display 14 a shows the bow of a yacht 28 on a background 30including water. In the center of the display 14 a, a compass rose 32 isshown. Surrounding the compass rose 32 sixteen bonus symbols 34circumscribe the compass rose 32 in equal intervals. The sixteen bonussymbols 34 constitute the list or set of feature games symbols in thisexample. It can be appreciated that any number of bonus symbols 34 maybe used, and that the arrangement of the bonus symbols can be varied inan arrangement other than circumscribing the compass rose 32.

The compass rose 32 has a pointer 38, which may point towards one of thebonus symbols 34. Although a compass rose 32 is shown, any deviceutilizing a pointer may be used in accordance with variants of gameplay.

The display 14 b displays a landscape 39 having water. A plurality ofbonus symbols 36 are displayed on the landscape 39. Each bonus symbol 36corresponds to a bonus symbol 34 of the display 14 a.

In one embodiment of the invention, each bonus symbol 36 is an objectthat duplicates or recognizably resembles a bonus symbol 34 of thedisplay 14 a. The bonus symbols 36 are sequenced to correspond with thebonus symbols 34 of the display 14 a. As shown, the bonus symbols 34 and36 are objects that include buoys, light houses, yachts, and the sun.Although the objects used for bonus symbols are nautical in nature, anybonus symbols can be used in accordance with the theme and character ofany feature game generated by the gaming machine 10.

FIG. 2 a is a screen shot of the display 14 a in feature game play modeindicated by the text “REGATTA FEATURE” and by the image of thebackground 30 shown in conjunction with the bow 28 of a yacht.

The display 14 a shows the text, “pays 1 times total bet” adjacent thesymbol 40 a, and shows the text, “pays 2 times total bet” adjacent thesymbol 40 b, and shows the text, “pays 5 times total bet” adjacent thesymbol 40 c. Each symbol 40 a, 40 b and 40 c depicts an object. Heresymbol 40 a depicts a lighthouse, 40 b depicts a buoy, and 40 c depictsa yacht.

The compass rose 36 spins in response to a user activating a button onthe user interface, and when the compass rose 36 stops, the pointer 38points towards a symbol circumscribing the compass rose 36. As shown,the pointer 38 points towards the symbol 40 a, which is a lighthouse,indicating that a payout determined by the standard game play mode willbe multiplied by one.

It can be appreciated that any symbol can be colored to differentiatefrom other symbols. For example, a green lighthouse can invoke adifferent multiplier than a yellow lighthouse, for example.

FIG. 2 b is a screen shot of the display 14 a in feature game play modeindicated by the text “REGATTA FEATURE” and by the image of thebackground 30 shown in conjunction with the bow 28 of a yacht.

The text, “Stopping at a green lighthouse increases the MULTIPLIER andturns its light ON.” appears over the background 30. The greenlighthouse symbol 40 d is the switchable symbol 40 a in the first state.The symbol 40 d and the symbol 40 e are displayed adjacent the text. Thesymbol 40 d depicts a green lighthouse, and the symbol 40 e depicts thegreen lighthouse that is highlighted by illumination. Thus the greenlighthouse switches states from non-illuminated in the first state toilluminated in the second state.

The compass rose 32 spins, with the spin initiated by a user. Thecompass rose 32 may stop at a random position respectively based on arandom event and the pointer 38 may in this example point towards thesymbol 40 d, which indicates that a multiplier associated with the greenlighthouse symbol 40 d is now active and increased from a previousmultiplier value to result in a new multiplier value. The multipliervalue may be one of a natural number, an integer, a real number or arational number. The multiplier value may be increased by an integervalue one (+1). The switchable symbol 40 d in this situation is switchedfrom the first state to the second state, wherein in order to indicatethat the switchable symbol 40 d is in the second state the switchablesymbol 40 d also becomes highlighted with illumination to alsoparticularly indicate that the multiplier associated with the greenlighthouse symbol 40 d is active.

FIG. 2 c is a screen shot of the display 14 a in feature game play modeindicated by the text “REGATTA FEATURE” and by the image of thebackground 30 shown in conjunction with the bow 28 of a yacht.

The text, “Stopping at the sun turns all lights OFF. The multipliervalue persists.” appears on the background 30. The symbols 40 d and 40 fappear adjacent the text. The symbol 40 f depicts the sun, which in thiscase is the switching symbol 40 f (sun). The pointer 38 points at theswitching symbol 40 f, causing highlighting of the symbol 40 d, thegreen lighthouse, to cease. In other words, the state of the switchablesymbol 40 d (lighthouse) is modified in that if the switchable symbol 40d (lighthouse) is in the second state then the switchable symbol 40 d(lighthouse) is switched to the first state. The multiplier associatedwith the green lighthouse, however, remains active and the player isenabled to have another turn at spinning the compass rose 32.

FIG. 2 d shows the display 14 a in feature game play mode indicated bythe text “REGATTA FEATURE” and by the image of the background 30 shownin conjunction with the bow 28 of a yacht.

The text, “Stopping at a red lighthouse ends the feature.” appears onthe background 30. The symbol 40 g appears adjacent the text. Thepointer 38 points at the symbol 40 g, which is the switchable symbol 40d in the second state, causing the regatta feature to terminate. Inother words, if the switchable symbol 40 d is in the second state thenthe feature game mode is terminated. The game play returns to standardgame play mode as shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 shows the compass rose 32 rotating around the axis 42 in thedirection of the arrow 44. The compass rose 32 also slightly rotates, ortilts, around the axis 46 and the axis 48 in the direction of the arrows50 and 52, respectively. Rotational movement of the compass rose 32around the axis 42 facilitates game play. Movement of the compass rose32 around the axis 46 and 48 provides a visual effect resembling thenatural movement of a nautical compass during use. For example, a commontype of nautical compass enables the compass pointer to remain visibleto a user during passage through rough waters by allowing the compassrose to float in a water-filled case. The display of the presentinvention allows for “floating” of the compass rose 32 by allowing thecompass rose 32 to gently rotate back and forth around the axis 46 andthe axis 48.

FIG. 4 shows the background 38 with a portion of the background 38appearing within the visible area of the display 14 b. The background 38pans laterally across the display 14 b in the directions of the arrow 54in response to rotation of the compass rose 32 during game play. In thisway the background 38 corresponds to a view in the direction indicatedby the pointer 38.

The background 38 also pans up and down in generally sinusoidal fashionin the directions of the arrows 56 and 54 to imitate the movement of thebow 28 of the yacht across wavy waters. The floating movement of thecompass rose depicted in FIG. 3, thus corresponds with this sinusoidalmovement. The sinusoidal movement in the direction of the arrows 56 hasa different frequency and amplitude than the sinusoidal movement in thedirection of the arrows 54.

FIG. 5 shows the computer 84, which mounts in the housing 12 of thegaming machine 10 and the computer 84 connects with a display 80. Thedisplay 80 includes a transmissive LCD panel and may include anintegrated touch-screen 82. The computer includes a main board 86 havinga controller, memory connected to the main board for storing software,software stored in the memory for operating the display 80, softwaredrivers, and a main processor. In a preferred embodiment, the computer84 includes two displays 80 to form an upper display and a lowerdisplay.

FIG. 6 shows a system diagram of the computer 84. The computer 84includes a main board 86, program memory 88 being a computer readablemedium, a main processor 90 and RAM 92 connected in operativecommunication. The computer 84 has an input output I/O controller 94.The I/O controller 94 communicates with a user interface control panel96, display interface driver circuitry 98, a display unit 100, a coinacceptor 102, a bill acceptor 104, a card reader 106, a ticketreader/printer 108, and a sound circuit 110. The sound circuit 110 is inoperative communication with speakers 112.

The coin acceptor 102 and the bill acceptor 104 accept currency andcommunicate the amount accepted to the I/O controller 94. The cardreader 106 reads credit cards, debit cards, gift cards or other cardhaving electronic indicia of monetary value.

The ticket reader 108 prints tickets and receipts revealing the winningsof a player, or other financial outcome. The ticket reader 108 alsoreceives tickets having indicia of monetary value, such as a bar code,which is read by the ticket reader 108.

The sound circuit 110 is configured to provide an acoustic-basedinterface for the user. Each movement or action by a user may result ina particular sound, or instruction being generated by the computer 84.The speakers 112 communicate the sounds to the user.

Game Play Example

During exemplary game play, the appearance of three or more scattersymbols in standard game play mode triggers the bonus play mode termed“regatta feature”. During the regatta feature, a ring of sixteen symbolsare displayed circumscribing the compass rose. Accordingly, there aresixteen random stop positions for the pointer of the compass rose.Twelve of the sixteen positions have prizes the other four positionshave special purposes.

The following table illustrates the various symbols and their effect ongame play when the regatta feature is active.

Angle (1024 increments Symbol Function of rotation) Yellow buoyMultiplier: 1 × Total bet 64, 192, 320, 448, 576, 704, 832, 960 Orangebouy Multiplier: 2 × Total bet 640, 896 Yacht Multiplier: 5 × Total bet128, 384 Lighthouse Multiplier: 10 × Total bet or 0, 256, 512 TerminateFeature Mode Sun Reset Lighthouses 768

Lighthouses: The lighthouses are switchable symbols. There are threelighthouses displayed. When the compass rose spins and the pointerpoints to a lighthouse it increases the multiplier and turns on thelight of the lighthouse, thus the lighthouse is switchable between afirst state that is unilluminated, and a second state that isilluminated. When an illuminated lighthouse is hit again, the featuregame ends.

Sun: The sun symbol is a switching symbol that resets the lighthouses,but leaves the multiplier unchanged. This enables the multiplier topersist. The player can spin the compass rose again. Selecting the sunsymbol, which is a switching symbol, does not terminate the feature gamein this example.

While the compass spins, the landscape is panned on the upper screenaccording to the position of the compass rose. Importantly, the viewfrom the yacht is placed on both screens. A portion of the yacht appearson the lower display, and the horizon containing the landscape isdisplayed on the upper screen. The landscape on the upper screen appearsto move, when the compass spins. The symbols circumscribing the compassrose correspond to and are represented on the landscape.

On the lower screen, there is a view of the yacht from the steeringwheel, looking to the bow. The railing should nearly touch the upperedge of the screen. At the lower centre position, there is the compassrose (the wheel of fortune). Next to it, there should be some displays,showing the above mentioned pay table.

On the upper screen, there is a landscape, spinning around when theyacht is turning. The horizon should be at about the centre of thatscreen, to keep the landscape small in height.

Compass Rose: The compass rose contains 16 positions in sequence,starting from the north, clockwise:

Position Symbol 1 Lighthouse 2 Buoy-yellow cylindrical 3 Yacht_1 4Buoy-yellow cylindrical 5 Lighthouse 6 Buoy-yellow cylindrical 7 Yacht_28 Buoy-yellow cylindrical 9 Lighthouse 10 Buoy-yellow cylindrical 11Buoy-orange cone shaped 12 Buoy-yellow cylindrical 13 Sun 14 Buoy-yellowcylindrical 15 Buoy-orange cone shaped 16 Buoy-yellow cylindrical

Landscape: To minimize the amount of memory storage needed, thelandscape is presented as a single long image stored in memory. Thelandscape represents the view from the yacht in full 360°. The pictureis panned and zoomed to a specific position according to the pointer onthe compass rose to enable the upper display to have the effect that theyacht is moving e.g. turning, or moving forward.

The landscape may include any of: a harbour, a city, islands, clouds,and mountainous regions. The upper display shows the final projectedposition of the various symbols, which correspond with the symbolscircumscribing the compass rose. There can be one or more particularlandscapes presented randomly, or in sequence, to a user depending ongame play rules.

The compass rose rotation is initiated by a user by toggling the gameinterface. The compass rose may turn either clockwise orcounter-clockwise. Optimally the compass rose turns in a direction thatyields a spin of between a half and a full spin. The position of thecompass rose corresponds to the position of the landscape displayed onthe upper screen. There is a linear relationship between the angle ofthe compass rose and the shift of the upper screen. Rotation of thecompass rose starts and stops slowly, and in one embodiment may take atleast five seconds to complete its movement. Preferably the symbolscircumscribing the compass rose are stationary.

Bonus Calculations:

The initial multiplier is an integer value one (1). The multiplier ismultiplied by the total bet made by a player, typically chosen initiallyduring standard game play. When a non-lit lighthouse is the stop-symbol,the multiplier is increase by one and the lighthouse is lit. When thestop-symbol is a lit lighthouse, the multiplier is 10 so that a prize of10 times the total bet is paid and the feature game play ends. When thestop-symbol is the sun, all lighthouses are reset to non-lit and thefeature game persists.

The symbols, in addition to providing for multipliers to increase apayout, also provide for prizes that can be immediately awarded to aplayer. The prize for a yellow, cylindrical buoy is 1. The prize for anorange, cone-shaped buoy is 2. The prize for a yacht is 5. Each prizecan be multiplied times the total bet. Each prize can be additionallymultiplied by a multiplier, when a multiplier is active.

FIG. 7 shows the method 118 in accordance with the present invention.The method 118 includes the step 120 of displaying a matrix of symbolsto facilitate standard game play mode. The matrix of symbols, arerepresented on slot machine reels in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

The step 122 determines whether one of the matrix symbols is a scattersymbol. In one embodiment of the present invention, the scatter symbolhas the text “scatter” and an image of a compass rose. (see FIG. 1) Itcan be appreciated, however, that the scatter symbol need not have text,and the image can be any object.

The step 124 initiates feature game play mode when a scatter symbol hasbeen determined.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary method of game play 126 including aspects offeature game play mode. The method 126 includes the step 128 ofdisplaying a set of feature game symbols including a switchable symbol.In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the switchable symbol isa lighthouse that is highlighted by illumination when its state switchesfrom a first state to a second state.

The step 130 displays a compass rose having a pointer for randomlyselecting one of the feature symbols. The term “randomly” is purelyrandom in one variant of the invention. The terms “randomly” and“random” are, however, intended to include the possibility of providingsimply an appearance of randomness in accordance with prevailingstandards of the casino gaming industry. Accordingly, these terms are tobe broadly construed.

The step 132 randomly selects one of the feature game symbols.Preferably the compass rose rotates and directs the pointer at one ofthe feature game symbols, which circumscribes the compass rose.

The step 134 determines whether the selected symbol is a switchablesymbol. If the step 134 determines that the selected symbol is aswitchable symbol then the step 136 determines whether the switchablesymbol is in the first state, which is non-illuminated. If theswitchable symbol is in the second state, being illuminated, the step140 terminates the feature game mode. If the switchable symbol is in thefirst state, the step 138 changes the switchable symbol to the secondstate, which is illuminated and feature game play continues with thestep 132 of randomling selecting one of the feature game symbols.

If the step 134 determines that the selected symbol is not a switchablesymbol, then the step 142 determines whether the selected symbol is aswitching symbol, for example, the sun symbol in this example, If theselected symbol is a switching symbol, then the step 146 switches thestate of the switchable symbol to the first state and feature game playcommences with step 132 of randomly selecting one of the feature gamesymbols. If the selected symbol is not a switching symbol, then featuregame play commences with step 132 of randomly selecting one of thefeature game symbols. It is important to understand that the terms“illuminated” and “non-illuminated” are terms relative to each other sothat in the second state, the switchable symbol is relatively brighterthan the switchable symbol in the first state. Non-illuminated, caninclude partial illumination so long as the illumination intensity ofthe second state is noticeably greater than the illumination, or partialillumination, of the first state. This is particularly true of any gamethat is displayed on a transmissive display, or any other electronicdisplay.

Further, variants of game play are possible, and the present descriptionof a particular game is given by way of example only. The presentinvention is intended to include numerous ways of playing a casino game,particularly with feature mode games. For example, there can be morethan one feature game mode available, each being triggered by aparticular switchable symbol in standard game play mode.

While the switchable symbol is depicted as a lighthouse and theswitching symbol is depicted as the sun in the exemplary game, any typeof graphical or video representation can be used as the switching symboland the switchable symbol, respectively. The choice of symbolism is amatter of game theme and design choice. For example, while a nauticaltheme has been chosen, other themes including military vehicles,aircraft, spacecraft, other motor vehicles and recreational mobilitydevices such as skis can be used, depending on the game theme. Where thetheme is outer space-related, the background may include planets andcelectial objects, the switchable element might be a star, pulsar etc.,and the switching element might be a black hole for instance.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and the Abstract provided herein are for convenience onlyand do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purposecomputers and computing devices. Typically a controller unit includesone or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or moredigital signal processors will receive instructions e.g., from a memoryor like device, and execute those instructions, thereby performing oneor more processes defined by those instructions.

A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processingunits CPUs, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, or like devices or any combination thereof.

Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding the computer 84 that is in communication e.g., via acommunications network with one or more devices. The computer 84 maycommunicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired orwireless medium e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, atelephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communicationsline, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, asatellite communications link, a combination of any of the above. Anynumber and type of devices may be in communication with the computer.

In one embodiment, the present invention may be practiced on a networkof one or more devices without a central authority. In such anembodiment, any functions described herein as performed by the servercomputer or data described as stored on the server computer may insteadbe performed by or stored on one or more such devices.

While the present invention is disclosed in terms of various specificembodiments, it can be appreciated that these embodiments are by way ofexample only. There are several variations contemplated by the presentinvention, and with the popularity of electronic gaming interfaces, theterm “reel” should be broadly understood to include any set of moveableimages, defining a matrix column, that are used to establish a payout.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a housing; game display means, and gamecontrol means arranged to control images displayed on the display means,the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein a pluralityof symbols are randomly selected from a predetermined set of symbols anddisplayed on the display means and initiate a feature game mode if ascatter symbol is displayed, the feature game mode being characterizedin that the game control means is programmed to: determine a set offeature game symbols, the set of feature games symbols containing atleast one switchable symbol that may be switched between a first stateand a second state and the list of feature games symbols containing atleast one switching symbol, that switches the switchable symbol betweenthe first state and the second state; randomly select one symbol fromthe set of feature game symbols; determine whether the randomly selectedfeature game symbol is the switchable symbol in which case if theswitchable symbol is in the second state then the feature game mode isterminated otherwise if the switchable symbol is in the first state thenthe switchable symbol is switched to the second state; and determinewhether the randomly selected feature game symbol is the switchingsymbol, in which case the state of the switchable symbol is modified inthat if the switchable symbol is in the second state then the switchablesymbol is switched to the first state.
 2. A gaming machine as set forthin claim 1, wherein the game display means includes a lower display andan upper display positioned above the lower display.
 3. A gaming machineaccording to one of the previous claims, wherein the lower displaydepicts a rotatable compass rose, the switchable symbol is a lighthouseand the switching symbol is the sun.
 4. A gaming machine as set forth inclaim 3, wherein the set of feature game symbols are arranged tocircumscribe the compass rose to enable the pointer to point at one ofthe feature game symbols.
 5. A gaming machine as set forth in claim 4,wherein the upper display depicts a landscape including water, and atleast some of the set of feature game symbols are displayed on the upperdisplay.
 6. A gaming machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein theswitchable symbol in the second state is highlighted by illumination. 7.A gaming machine according to one of the previous claims, wherein whenthe switchable symbol is in the second state, the game provides anopportunity for an increased payout that persists irrespective offurther state transitions of the switchable symbol.
 8. A system forgaming comprising: a gaming machine having housing with a userinterface, a lower display and an upper display; a computer mounted inthe housing and in communication with the lower display and the upperdisplay, the computer includes a controller, a main board, a programmemory, a main processor and an input output controller connected inoperative communication; the controller enables standard game play modeuntil the occurrence of a predetermined event; upon occurrence of thepre-determined event, the controller enables feature game play mode andcauses the displays to present a feature game and to operate the gamingmachine in feature game play mode to cause the lower display to presenta plurality of feature game symbols, and a symbol selection pointer; andat least one of the feature game symbols is a switchable symbol having afirst state and a second state; the controller causes the symbolselection pointer to select one of the plurality of feature gamesymbols, whereby when the switchable symbol is selected then theswitchable symbol changes from the first state to the second state; andthe controller causes the symbol selection pointer to again select oneof the plurality of feature game symbols, whereby when the switchablesymbol is again selected then the switchable symbol changes from thesecond state to the first state and the feature game play mode isterminated.
 9. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the controllercauses the upper display to display a plurality of symbols on the upperdisplay, which correspond with at least some of the plurality of featuregame symbols displayed on the lower display.
 10. A system as set forthin claim 9, wherein the controller causes the upper display to display alandscape and causes the lower display to display at least a portion ofthe upper display landscape.
 11. A system as set forth in claim 10,wherein the symbol selection pointer is displayed as part of a compassrose and the plurality of feature game symbols displayed on the lowerdisplay circumscribe the compass rose.
 12. A system as set forth inclaim 11, wherein the controller causes the lower display to display astate-switching symbol and causes the upper display to display aswitchable symbol, the switchable symbol displayed on the upper displaycorresponds with the switchable displayed on the lower display so thatwhen the state of the switchable symbol of the lower display changesfrom the first state to the second state, the corresponding switchablesymbol of the upper display is highlighted.
 13. A system as set forth inclaim 12, wherein the switchable symbol of the upper display ishighlighted by illumination.
 14. A gaming method having a standard andfeature game play modes, comprising: displaying a matrix of symbols tofacilitate standard game play mode; determining whether one of thematrix of symbols is a scatter symbol; initiating feature game play modewhen a scatter symbol has been determined, feature game play modefurther comprising: displaying a set of feature game symbols, the set offeature game symbols containing at least one switchable symbol that maybe switched between a first state and a second state; displaying apointer for randomly selecting one of the feature game symbols; randomlyselecting one feature game symbol; determining whether the randomlyselected feature game symbol is a switchable symbol in the first state,in which case the switchable symbol is switched to the second state; anddetermining whether the selected feature game symbol is a switchablesymbol in the second state, in which case the feature game play mode isterminated.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step ofdisplaying a pointer includes displaying a compass rose.
 16. A method asset forth in claim 15, wherein the step of displaying a set of featuregame symbols includes circumscribing the compass rose with the set offeature game symbols.
 17. A method as set forth in claim 16, whereinwhen the switchable symbol is in the second state the game yields anincreased payout.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein whenthe switchable symbol is in the second state the game yields anincreased payout using a multiplier of ten.
 19. A method as set forth inclaim 17, wherein the standard game play mode commences after thefeature game play mode is terminated.
 20. A method as set forth in claim14 further comprising determining whether the selected game featuresymbol is a switching symbol, and changing the state of the switchablesymbol when the selected game feature symbol is a switching symbol.